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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » Vegetable Crops Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #381266
Research Project: Maximizing the Impact of Potato Genebank Resources: Development and Evaluation of a Wild Species Genotype Diversity Panel

Location: Vegetable Crops Research

Title: Potato tuber lenticels

Author
item Bethke, Paul

Submitted to: Proceedings Wisconsin Annual Potato Meetings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/16/2021
Publication Date: 8/18/2023
Citation: Bethke, P.C. 2023. Potato tuber lenticels. Proceedings Wisconsin Annual Potato Meetings. (2023) 100:253–264. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-023-09923-5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-023-09923-5

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Potato tuber lenticels are pores in the potato skin that allow for exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the atmosphere and the interior of the potato. Enlarged lenticels leave unsightly blemishes on potatoes and are potential entry points for soft rot bacteria. In this report, we illustrate the developmental changes that occur as lenticels enlarge. Factors that contribute to lenticel enlargement include water on the tuber surface, which restricts oxygen entry; respiration by tubers, which consumes oxygen; and production and growth of new cells in the lenticel. Management practices that potato growers, packers and shippers may use to reduce the detrimental effects of enlarged lenticels on potatoes are discussed.